#(follow-up on COVID stuff: bro got back a neg test result)

[soysaucevictim]

Week 3.

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Dec. 12

I woke up after 1PM.

After some tired browsing on TV Tropes and chatting, I made today’s Hello Fresh Meal. Cheesy smothered mushroom chicken. This was pretty tasty and most of the family liked it.

Today just was emotionally and physically exhausting. Didn’t get around to exercising at all. But I did spend time making Sanders Sides inspired lighting configurations for my keyboard backlight & lightbar.

(I also decided to sit out this year’s DAREBEE SNOWFIGHT. Just too tired and stressed to keep track of all the snowballs.)

I got to bed a few hours earlier than yesterday.

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Dec. 13

I woke up after 2PM.

After some coffee and light video editing for a trivial video - I played catch-up with most of my exercise today.

First, yesterday’s DD. 2′ leg raise hold with EC (from floor, 1′/1′). Pretty breezy work.

Second, today’s DD. 20 back extensions with EC. Also manageable. Do think that run of the YAC was helpful upping/maintaining back conditioning.

Third, Day 12 of the ‘20ACC. 3x12 side bridges, done in one super-set (18/18). A bit  challenging, but still doable at that load.

Fourth, Day 13 of the ‘20ACC. 3x13 reverse angels, done in one super-set. Doable, had to shimmy around so my hand wouldn’t hit my chair. Was a bit challenging!

Fifth, Day 13 of the FhP. Level 3, no rest. No bounce switching due to energy levels - all 50/50 approach. This was very manageable to get through without resting.

Last, Day 12 of the Fit Christmas Program. 200 butt kicks, done in one go. That definitely got me winded! I think I went between a jogging and running pace. Happy I managed that, though!

Spent rest of night chatting and watching The Producers with a friend (the one with Gene Wilder).

I got to bed obscenely late.

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Dec. 14

I woke up a bit after noon, I believe.

First, today’s DD. 40 climber taps with EC. Doable.

Second, Day 14 of the ‘20ACC. 3x14 side lunges, done in one super-set. I alternated sides for each rep.

Last, Day 14 of the FhP. Level 3, 30″ rest. Whenever I felt like my push-ups were getting sloppy I tried to focus on actually feeling my pecs during the action. Def got tougher as I went along.

After several hours of the usual, I was struck by some inspiration to write again. That was fun.

I got to bed a bit earlier than yesterday.

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Dec. 15

I woke up after 1PM and one of the first things I did was today’s exercise.

First, today’s DD. 30 alt arm/leg raises with EC. This was pretty breezy to get through.

Second, Day 15 of the ‘20ACC. 3x15 sit-ups, done in one super-set. I didn’t NEED to do that, but I found myself feeling all determined for it. Definitely took some digging in for the last ~10 reps.

(After a bit of recovery time for my abs...)

Last, Day 15 of the FhP. Level 3, 1′ rest. Yeah more sit-ups. Oof, I like them. Hope I didn’t miss parts of the sequence a couple times through the WO, out of inattention. But by the time I finished Set 5, I was like, “it feels like I did everything right, my abs aRE SPENT.“

I spent most of night chatting and feeling stressed about family and community stuff.

I got to bed in the green zone. Had a bad time trying to stay asleep, woke up around 2AM and only got back to bed by like 6AM. =_=

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Dec. 16

I woke up after 11AM.

Hit the showers and went with brother on some errands.

Once at home, did today’s exercises.

First, today’s DD. 40 knee-to-elbow crunches with EC. My seat was a tiny bit irritated from all the sit-ups yesterday. But I’m just happy I could remain balanced. Not the best form/ROM, but still pretty intense.

Second, Day 16 of the ‘20ACC. 3x16 sitting twists, done in one super-set. Breezy load, still a tiny bit of discomfort for same reasons as the DD.

Last, Day 16 of the FhP. Level 3, ~30″ rest. Kicks are always a lot of fun. Didn’t do any bounce-switching today. Might try to do that more often, going forward, for a bit more cardio.

After that, I made today’s Hello Fresh Meal. Firecracker meatballs. Still a pretty okay recipe. This week was pre-set selections because menu changed on me.

I spent rest of night on the usual, still feeling restless.

I got to bed obscenely late again.

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Dec. 17

I woke up after 1PM.

Did some chatting before today’s exercises.

First, today’s DD. 2′ leg extensions with EC (”donkey kicks”; 1′/1′.) I counted 113 reps done by the end of it. So close to 1/sec, but oh well. A fun exercise.

Second, Day 17 of the ‘20ACC. 3x17 leg raises, done in one super-set. This definitely took some digging in to accomplish. But I managed to get through it without any breaks. Neck only really started to feel much strain in the last ~10 reps or so.

Last, Day 17 of the FhP. Level 3, 1′ rest. I did my best to do my push-ups more slowly and with better attention to form. I kinda like how this program involves small numbers at a time to invite focus on that rather than trying to do them as fast as possible just to get through them.

I spent rest of night on the usual noise.

I got to bed around the same time as yesterday.

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Dec. 18

I woke up after 1PM and one of the first things I did was today’s exercise.

First, today’s DD. 20 stacked push-ups with EC. Doable, if a bit sloppy.

Second, Day 18 of the ‘20ACC. 3x18 plank rotations, done in one super-set. I was highly tempted to break it up, but decided to press through. Probably got a tiny bit sloppy too, but I’m just happy I managed things.

Last, Day 18 of the FhP. Level 3, no rest. Fairly breezy to get through. Now - if we stacked one side at a time, this might’ve been a bit more intensive. But that wasn’t the case (given the side-switches in each set.)

(SNOWFIGHT ended here, but again - didn’t participate.)

Made some dinner, spent most of night on the usual and poked the iZ!AU document some more.

I got to bed around the same time as yesterday.

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Summary of Experience:

I completed the Fit Christmas Program a day later than I intended to, on Dec. 13 (the 12th was an extremely low energy day.)

I was able to get Level 3 done for each relevant day (8). For all the Challenge days, I managed in one set. Remaining days were Tendon Strengthening Days and required doing things in one set. For all the days with Levels, I didn’t need to stop for much rest.

I’m still working on the Advent Challenge and Fireheart Program. Will summarize those when I get them done.